Sharp-tailed Grouse

A sampling of shots of the energizer-bunny of the prairie grouse world. Named after the narrow look of their two central tail feathers, they are also known as firebirds due to the fire-adapted grassland and brushland habitats they prefer. These photogenic birds are quite popular with wildlife watchers because they often ignore blinds which can be situated quite close to display territories, and their energetic, almost humorous breeding behavior is fascinating to watch. These birds can be quite faithful to their display grounds, and their display is a mixture of dancelike foot stomping and tail rattling, with cooing, chuckling and popping vocalizations, as well as a few "flutter jumps" mixed in. But if you want to experience this wonderful product of biological evolution, you need to plan ahead, not unlike hunting trips, get out in the blind at least one hour before sunrise, and plan to stick it out up to 5 hours before they leave for cover during mid- to late- morning. Peak breeding and display activity occurs from late-March through late-April on display grounds known as leks, after the Scandinavian word for playground, and their dancing and displaying is known as lekking. While this species used to be more widespread, aggressive management of the grassland and brushland habitats by wildlife agencies and non-profit groups are helping to ensure a future for this species.

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Shake, Rattle & Dance X
Male sharp-tailed grouse dancing on a lek shortly after sunrise. Gun Lake WMA, Aitkin County, Minnesota. Also known as firebirds due to the fire adapted habitats they prefer, this species status is precarious in the central and east-central parts of the state. Conservation of sharptails requires intensive protection and management efforts by wildlife agencies and non-profit conservation groups. Along with other prairie grouse, they are quite photogenic and are viewed from blinds throughout much of their range. Late-March through late-April are the best periods to watch & photograph these charasmatic, energizer-bunny like representatives of prairie grouse.